The Closed Bridge

stljohnny

stljohnny

knowledge > execution. :(
Silver Member
So, I know there's a lot of variations on the closed bridge, but I also noticed that there's one style which seems pretty popular amongst those top level shooters and I was wondering if that was just a coincidence...

Convention says the "proper" closed bridge is something very similar to what Samm Diep posts:



However, Shane, Mika and Efren all use the same closed bridge - the index finger over the shaft and on top of the middle finger, and hide their thumb. Like this:

2009wtbcday05_011_small.JPG


img_2977.jpg


EfrenICOC.JPG


So... is there a reason for it? I need to really work out my fingers to get that to work - but it also nearly strangles the shaft and it doesn't flow quite a smoothly as the "traditional" method.

Anyone else use that? Did you switch? If so, why?
 
I made the switch to that more popular closed bridge. All the good players that I see in my area have a bridge similar to that also. I figured they all had to be on to something so I gave it a try.

I have fairly small hands so it was a difficult switch for me but one I really grew to like. For me I like it cuz it gives me more stability and allows me to hit higher or lower on the cue ball with just a slight adjustment. I can rest the palm of my hand on the table for some shots or lift it up and support my bridge with my pinky and pointer finger, either way it is very solid. Also, it allows the cue to glide / rest on the area where the thumb meets the hand. I think this helps keep me online if Im hitting a shot with some power.

Overall I am very happy that I switched. I think it gives my bridge more versatility and more power stroking through the ball. However it was a real pain to learn. My hand hurt for about a month or so before I got used to it. My bridge hand would get very stiff when I would first start playing and I would have to wait for it to loosen up. Now I dont have that problem at all.

Good Luck!
 
LOL who am I to say any of those guys do it wrong :embarrassed2: But, IMO I think they learned it that way, and became very good using it.

The first picture is what I believe is a much better choice for those now learning the game.
 
3andstop - i agree. it's much easier to learn that bridge, but I was wondering if perhaps the other way is more stable? Personaly, my closed bridge (ala Samm) does a pretty good job, but I wonder if the finger-overlap method holds the shaft in place just a bit better? My swing is 99% straight on average, as I've done a lot of work on it, but I know sometimes I'm hitting half a tip or less off where I think I am. My final position seems straight and the stroke felt good, but the CB action doesn't lie (especially using a measel ball). I think I need to either tighten up my closed bridge just a bit (it is pretty loose to keep the friction down). Perhaps I'll try this for a while and see what happens.
 
I prefer the first bridge, as my hands are small and the last few are more uncomfortable for me.
 
If you ask me, all four of those bridges are the exact same thing. I see no difference besides the men having longer fingers and being able to put their index finger further up their middle. You can't see their thumbs in any of the photos, and I'm only to believe that it's supporting the index.

POST LUCKY 7s!
 
IntoTheRail:
[Closed bridge] allows me to hit higher or lower on the cue ball with just a slight adjustment.
Click to expand...

I think there's more range of height with an open bridge.

On the low side the open bridge can be "flattened" more because you don't need to bend the fingers to bring the thumb into contact with the middle finger like you do with a closed bridge.

On the high side the open bridge can be higher because the thumb can rest against the top of the index finger, but with the closed bridge you can't get your index finger to form a loop that high on your middle finger.

I also don't believe a closed bridge really adds stability or accuracy for any shot, except in the mind of the shooter (which can be important).

pj
chgo
 
stljohnny:
I know sometimes I'm hitting half a tip or less off where I think I am.

[...]

I think I need to either tighten up my closed bridge just a bit (it is pretty loose to keep the friction down).
Click to expand...

Small variances in where you hit the CB are caused by movement of your back hand and can't be cured by a tighter bridge (or a closed one vs. an open one).

pj
chgo
 
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Earl swears by the bridge that is lifted up onto the pinky and the bird finger, Johnny on the other hand prefers sam's bridge. I like the second one and it is the one I use the most.
 
I use a closed bridge for power shots and an open one for soft or touch shots. I think you can see it in my avatar.
 
randyg said:
I use the bridge that works the best for my hand....SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

thats the money right there.....you have to have the right kind of hands to be able to bridge like that, if you have short stubby fingers your not going to e able to do that index over middle finger bridge...

its no more exceptional than any other bridge...

dont think that if you use that bridge fairy dust will fall on you and instantly add 5 balls to your game...

just a bridge,
-Grey Ghost-
 
measureman - me as well.
ghost - i don't expect anything to change by switching bridges, i was just wondering if there were any technical benefits between the two. ;)
 
My closed bridge is much like Samm's except my index finger normally rests atop my thumb - not against the end of the thumb.

I switch between open and closed depending upon the shot and whichever feels the more comfortable. Put me in one of those situations where you must do a balancing act to make a bridge between several balls, my bridge is whatever it has to be.

The shape of my closed bridge is very much the reason why I prefer shafts of about 13.25mm... a shaft of that thickness fits my natural bridge just right.
 
I think the bridge, close or open is a personal preference like many things in shooting pool. As for pool, many use the close bridge, and in snooker, I haven't seen a single player use a close bridge (Maybe Efren did). It is which ever is more comfortable and what you started playing with. I started with an open bridge and I just couldn't shoot worth a crap with a close bridge (not that with my open bridge I am much better lol). Any how, there are my .02

P.S. Have been gone for a while, hope everyone is doing great.

Happy shooting as always, :)

Chino
 
I think Randy is absolutely correct. I have short fingers, but I use the 2nd bridge with my index on my middle, almost not using the thumb at all. It didn't start out that way, but developed over the time I've been playing. For me, it's a much better position. When using the bridge that Samm shows, I feel like there is a tension in my fingers. Using the one I do, my fingers are completely relaxed and I can play without my fingers ever feeling tired.
 
I use mostly an open bridge but when I used a closed bridge I like the way Earl makes his closed bridge. That works best for me.
 
There is no one correct bridge. I've seen some odd ones that worked quite well. There are almost as many bridges as there are pool players. The strangest one I ever saw was Lassiter's bridge for left handed shots. He laid his right hand flat on the table palm side up. The he made a loop of his thumb and index finger and shot through that loop. It looked really weird!
 
I use the closed bridge almost for every shot! Probably 85 percent of the time. I use the first one but my fingers are fairly long and flexible so I spread really apart. I've had peopl ask me why my pinky is at such an angle.


I did not know Samm was married...
 
I use the same bridge as Mika ,Shane , Efren .... when I am using a closed bridge . I adapted to it years ago . On a traditional closed bridge my
knuckle sticks up over the shaft .
 
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